Preplacement Assignment 3
Cover Letter
Rationale
The purpose of this assignment is for you to create an effective cover letter to accompany the resume that you created in Assignment 2. When you are applying for a job, a cover letter should always accompany your resume because it serves as an introduction, highlights specific qualifications or objectives you may have for this job. It also exhibits your written communication skills. Every resume, whether faxed, e-mailed, or hand delivered, must include a cover letter.
Background
A cover letter is an essential aspect of any job search. An effectively written cover letter will help distinguish you from applicants whose cover letters are either limited in detail or not included at all. Good writing takes time. Compose cover letters that reflect your own personality. Do not copy someone else's cover letter and make sure you address the letter to the actual person who will read it.
Instructions
Create a cover letter by following these steps:
1. Obtain the name of the person your cover letter should be addressed to and the address of the organization/business you are applying to
2. Write your letter using the following format
Date
Your Complete Home Address
Employer Contact Name
Business/Organization Address
Salutation
First Paragraph - indicate your interest in the company/organization and state the position for which you are applying (to get Co-Op experience in a specific career field or occupation)
Second Paragraph - outline your skills/strengths, education and relevant experience as it pertains to the co-op position that you are applying for.

Third Paragraph - outline why you would make a good co-op student -- punctual, dependable, eager to learn new things about the job every day.
Fourth Paragraph - thank the employer for reviewing your letter and provide contact information where you can be reached to set up an interview
Closing
Signature
Evaluation
This assignment will be evaluated using the following rubric:
Criteria Level 4
Key Components of
Cover Letter (Personal and Business Contact
Information, 4
Paragraph Body, Thank
You and Signature)
Present and Detailed
(Knowledge and
Understanding)
Key components all present and well detailed
Effective Cover Letter
Formatting (Layout,
Design, and
Organization) Present
Cover Letter effectively formatted
(Application)
Clarity of Ideas
Communicated
(Communication)
Cover Letter communicates ideas with a high degree of clarity
Level 3
Key components are mostly present and well detailed
Some key components are missing and those present lack detail
Many key components missing and lack detail
Cover Letter is generally well- formatted
Cover Letter communicates ideas with considerable clarity
Level 2
Cover Letter is moderately wellformatted
Cover Letter communicates ideas with some clarity
Level 1 Remedial/
Below Level 1
More than ¾ of the key components are missing or cover letter was not submitted
Cover Letter is formatted with limited effectiveness
Cover Letter communicates ideas with limited clarity
Cover Letter is completely disorganized and is very poorly formatted
Lack of clarity completely impedes understanding of ideas

Cover Letter Example I
September 27 th , 2013
843 Muirfield Crescent
Kingston, ON
Canada
K7M 2E2
D.R. Johnson
Leading Seaman
D shift I/C
2 Military Police Unit Detachment Kingston
CFB Kingston
Canada K7K 7B4
Dear Leading Seaman Johnson,
I am interested in a co-op work experience placement with the Military Police because I am hoping to pursue a career in law enforcement. A placement with the Military Police would give me valuable insight on the roles, duties, and job expectations of a career in policing.
I would be an asset to the Military Police because I am serious about this type of work and the profession. I am a very hard worker and no matter the technicality/difficulty of the tasks assigned I will take them seriously and complete them to the best of my abilities. Some of my leadership and team work skills include being captain of extracurricular sports teams but it also includes the ability to listen to other opinions. I honed my team work skills while volunteering at Trillium Specialty Care because it involved a lot of listening and how to operate with certain patient protocols. A few background qualifications that I have include a completed self-defense training class with Sensei Coles at Impact Zone and St. John’s Ambulance Level C First Aid training.
Ultimately, I possess a very positive attitude towards learning and am dependable and punctual. I will always be present and on time when scheduled to work and will approach each shift ready and eager to learn new aspects of the job.
I thank you in advance for considering my application for a work experience placement at the Military Police. I look forward to our interview where we can discuss this matter in person.
Sincerely,
Brent Lappan

Cover Letter Example II
September 10 th , 2013
123 Braeside Crescent
Kingston, ON
K7P 2S9
Scott Ford
Manager
Shopper’s Drug Mart Pharmacy
775 Strand Blvd
Kingston, ON
K7P 2S7
Dear Mr. Ford:
I am writing to you regarding a co-operative education placement at the Shopper’s
Drug Mart Pharmacy. I am an eager student and would be thrilled to have the opportunity to work with staff and customers alike to attain experience in the field of work.
Presently, I am enrolled in several science and math related courses. I would like to take the initiative to apply my knowledge in these courses to the next level by learning from pharmacists, which I aspire to become in the distant future. Skills I will bring with me are organization, time management, perseverance and teamwork – all of which were acquired through my current part-time job at the Rosewood Retirement
Residence. In addition, I am a very outgoing individual, and am able to easily communicate and relate to people accordingly. Furthermore, my school’s close proximity will be an asset to your practice as it would allow me to consistently be punctual.
I am quite interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy and will be a great candidate for this position because of my strong passion and ambition to learn. Ultimately, my ambition along with this opportunity seems like a perfect occasion to further improve my pre-existing skills and to gain experience with a hands-on approach.
I thank you in advance for considering my application for a co-operative education placement at your pharmacy. I look forward to meeting with you to further discuss your requirements and my qualifications. You may contact me via telephone, mail or e-mail.
Sincerely,
Matt Smith